Hunt Control Office

Fort Knox comprises approximately 109,000 acres, or 170 square miles, in Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties of Kentucky. There are approximately 65,000 acres that are potentially available for recreational use when training mission permits. Access to the Installation for fishing and hunting is coordinated through the Directorate of Public Works (DPW), Hunt Control Office and is strictly controlled and rigidly enforced. This is required to ensure the safety of outdoor recreation participants and the military units that train on the Installation.

The Hunt Control Office is the source for information regarding fishing and hunting on the Installation, and is located in Building 9297 on Wilson Road. Fort Knox hunting/fishing permits, Kentucky hunting and fishing permits/licenses, and maps may be purchased there.

There is a variety of quality fishing resources available on the Installation. This includes trout fishing in Otter Creek; largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill fishing in the eight managed and numerous unmanaged lakes; and smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and longear sunfish fishing in Mill Creek, Cedar Creek, and Otter Creek.

Although primarily forested, Fort Knox has a variety of habitats that support hunting for small game species such as squirrels, doves, rabbits, quail, raccoon, and migratory birds as well as quality deer and wild turkey hunting.

Hunting and fishing on Fort Knox is available to the general public, within the constraints of the resources and safety.

Important Announcements

All firearms (including muzzleloaders) brought onto Fort Knox must be registered with the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) prior to the hunt. Each hunter must submit the completed
Privately-Owned Weapons Registration form (Fort Knox Form 2759)
and a copy of their driver's license at the Weapons Registration Office or MP desk in Building 298, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, or by mailing it to:

For more information and the registration form go to the
Privately Owned Weapons Registration page,
call 502-624-6847 or call the Visitor Center at 502-624-1524. Firearms registration will be valid for 3 years and firearms must be declared at access points upon entering the installation.

To avoid potential delays accessing the Installation, hunters are strongly encouraged to comply with this requirement prior to their assigned hunting dates.